What is La Venta?
La Venta is a pre-Columbian archaeological site of the Olmec civilization located in the present-day Mexican state of Tabasco. Some of the artifacts have been moved to the museum Parque – Museo de La Venta, which is in nearby Villahermosa, the capital of Tabasco.
What does the statue at La Venta represent?
Officially known as Monument 5, this statue is thought to represent a kneeling “baby-face” figure. La Venta is a pre-Columbian archaeological site of the Olmec civilization located in the present-day Mexican state of Tabasco.
What is the Royal Compound at La Venta?
La Venta was built on a ridge alongside the Palma River. At the top of the ridge are a series of complexes collectively referred to as the “Royal Compound” because it is believed that the ruler of La Venta lived there with his family. The royal compound is the most important part of the site and many important objects have been unearthed there.
Who excavated La Venta?
La Venta was first excavated by Matthew Stirling and Philip Drucker (assisted by Waldo Wedel in 1943, due to Drucker’s military service during WWII) between 1940 and 1943, resulting in several articles by Stirling and in 1952 a two-volume monograph by Drucker.